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stafford_peter
Modern humans must learn how to relate to psychoactives
responsibly, treating them with respect and awareness,
working to minimize harms and maximize benefits, and
integrating use into a healthy, enjoyable, and productive life.
Peter Stafford
Photographer Unknown
Psychedelic Baby Back Cover
Photo by Jim Hamilton
Erowid Character Vaults
Peter Stafford
Summary #
Peter G. Stafford, born George Leonard Sanford III, was a well-known American psychonaut and author of several books about psychedelics. After moving from New York to Santa Cruz in 1974, he wrote the classic Psychedelics Encyclopedia which served as the most informative book available on the topic for many years. He also wrote a number of related articles and helped organized several conferences during the '60s and '70s. He was a fixture of the California psychedelic community for decades, even after he began struggling with alcoholism, which continued for the rest of his life. He lived and worked in Santa Cruz, California until his death in 2007 when he fell from a ladder while climbing from the loft where he lived.

Peter was known for his generosity of spirit, creative thinking, friendliness, and his intelligence.
Author of (Books) #
  • Heavenly Highs: Ayahuasca, Kava-Kava, DMT, and Other Plants of the Gods - Revised chapter from Psychedelics Encyclopedia (2005)
  • Magic Mushrooms - Revised chapter from Psychedelics Encyclopedia (2003)
  • Psychedelics - Revised chapter from Psychedelics Encyclopedia (2003)
  • Psychedelics Encyclopedia (1977/1983/1992)
  • Psychedelic Baby Reaches Puberty (1971)
  • LSD The Problem-Solving Psychedelic [with and B.H. Golightly] (online version) (1967)
  • Author of (Articles)
  • "Psychedelic Scenarios", High Frontiers (1988)
  • "Who Turned on Whom", High Times (1977)
  • "Yage in the Valley of Fire" (1969)
  • "LSD in Action" (1969)
  • "LAW and the Future of Psychedelics", LA Free Press (Sep 30, 1966)
  • Remembrances #
  • Peter Stafford Remembrance, by Robert Forte (Jul 2007)
  • Peter Stafford Author and Psychedelic Investigator Dies, Bruce Eisner's Vision Thing (Jul 2007)